Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-07-01
WALKING ON WATER.
The Strange Teats Performed by q
Stranger on the Filthy chioa-
60 River.


(Naahyille Americana
! II was about 4 80 o'clock the other
afternoon when little party of in
vited guests arrived at the little boat
building shop under the north abut-
ment of Clark street bridge, Chicago,
to see Mr.. Alphonsc King try his
water bicycle and water shoes, but
owing to the constant passage Of boats
IL was deemed desirable TO postpone
the exhibition until 8 o'clock. At
that hour his water bicycle was
launched for sort of preliminary
Ijaunt just to show the crowd that the
navigation Of tho water was no such
difficult thing az Is popularity suppos-
cd. The water bicycle consists of two
long, air-tight tin cylinders, pointed
at both ends, surmounted by seat
aud wheel very similarto thoseof the
ordinary bicycle. The wheel has
small paddles on II, and when put In
motion they strike the water between
tins two cylinders aud furnish the
propelling power The steering APP
paratus consists of a miniature wheel
placed jnst In front of the seat con-
nected with the rudder by cords. On
this strange machine Mr.. King made
the trip from Clark TO Wells street
aud back very quickly and easily.
Both bridges and the docks aud build
ings between them were crowded
with spectators, who greeted him
with applause, frequently interspers-
ed with remarks aud suggestions
One little street-arab caused consid-
cradle amusement by running along
the dock shouting: "Hey, cullyl
Open der bridge quick, afore he
knocks IT down." A passing tug
made quite u swell, but the bicycler
successfully rode II by taking II with
his machine bow on not little 10
the disappointment Of the crowd.
Then came the great feat Of the af-
tcrnoon Mr. King opened big box
lying on the dock and took out
pair Of big tin shoes. lie calls them
aquatic shoes" and they are his own
invention. Albright and made IN
the shape Of flsh, they are 80 inches
long, 8 inches " ide and 0 inches high,
surrounded by tin fins and work au-
iomatically. There is also ruddcr
attached, with the aid of which he
can turn in thcspace Of six feet. IIav-
ing put these OH he started for the
piles that support The bridge in tho
middle of the river, appologizing for
the shortness OF his trip by saying
that he was out ofpractice, and did
not wish TO run any risk of a dip In
the dirty water Of the Chicago River.
A boat followed closely, and the
Irlshman rowing the same grew
more and more enthusiastic as he
proceeded. lie had witnessed the
ride without mixing any com
ment thereon, but this walking on
the water was quito another thing, |
aud he gave vent to his approval |
when Mr.. King finally reached the
piles in a wild "lIurrool hurrool
Begorra, he's walked OH the water
just like ST. Paier!' The crowd.
too, was deeply interested, following
Mr.. Kings every movement as lIe
made the trip and cheering him
when Il was accomplished.
When Mr.. King is in practice he
can walk any reasonable distance on
the water. lie has walked from
l,edloe's Island to the Battery In New |
York /; he has walked across Niagara |
River below the falls, aud across the |
Ohio and Mississippi These are the
most notable Of his feats.